Flying-machine.



L. G. YOUNG.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE14.1011.

E 00 1S m SE dH es M B t a P WITNESSES ATTORIIEY I L. G. YOUNG.

FLYING MAGHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 14. 1911.

1,109,891. n ed Sept. 8, 1914.

, 6 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

INVENTOR WITNESSES 414, M 16m; 4% (%a/ 2 BY T'I ORNEY L. G. YOUNG.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION TILED JUNE 14, 1911.

ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 8, 1914.

e SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WITNESSES L. G. YOUNG.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 14. 1911.

M m a 4 0 Wm M% M 7 E 0 00% V n no 4 A PS 1 m M :7 dm MW w v.

Egg.

L. G. YOUNG.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 14. 1911.

1 1 09,891 Patented Sept.8, 1914.

6 SHEETS SHEET 5.

Illllllllllllllll WITH/E8858 i uwmron L. G. YGUNG. FLYING MAGHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 14'. 1911.

Patented Spt. 8,1914.

'6 snnmsfsnnmr o.

W/TNE88E8 INVENTOR (9M Jazz/1Z5 kizinyazzy BY 0% QM 5 M ATTORNEY I.Yotmo, a citizen of the United. State .;resident of New .York city, New

STATES PATENT F 'rnwrs emu. rouse, or New rank, n. Y., 'assrenon wemiss; new. saw

a roux, n. x.

- 'rnmamcnma.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented se a-s, 1914.

Application medians 14, um. semi m. 633,041.

To all whom it may concern:

.Be it known that I, .Lnwxs Gm'rmz and ork, h'ave'invented certain newand useful Improvements in Flying-Machines, of which the following is aspecification containing a full, clear, and exact description, referencc being bad to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

,My invention relates to flying machines,- and the principal object ofmy invention is "to construct a flying machine which may be curved oradjusted in arcs of different circles, and have the sum of the supports,

regardless of any adjustment of the mabeincreased or chine, alwaysperpendicular to the sum of the weights. Furthermore, the supportingsurface, forccor ower of the aeroplane may e'creased at the will of theoperator, so that during the ascent, descent or varied stability, theplanes may be ven the maximum supporting surface or orce, or thesupporting surface or force of the aeroplanes may be increased ordecreased at "the willof the operator.

To the above purposes, my invention consistsin certain novel features ofconstruction and arrangement of parts which will be hereinafter morefully set forth, pointed out .in the claims, and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure-1 is a side elevation of my ma-- tioniof -the triangularframework in w ic h "said plane is mounted, 1n section; Fig. 2 1s.an'elevation looking toward the front of the machine, the upper dottedlines in the left,

of, said figure indicating one plane elevated for maximum support; Fig.3 is a top gplan' view, of the machine with a art of "one. of thesideplanes broken away; 1g. 4 IS a sectional perspective view of a part oftwo sections of the tail or. rear body portion of" the machine,illustrating the means by which: the fins o a a n P181195 are curvedtransversely, either upwardly or downwardly; Fig. 5 is a section takenentire line M of Fig. 3, illustrating one'plane in front elevation, alsothe triangular frame- ,workio'f one plane-in elevation, and showing thewiring, in dotted lines located in the framework for operating theplane, .andthe operatin mechanism for the lane, tail or rear y ortion ofthe mac 'ne in front elevation; ig. 6 is a vertical section of a portionof the framework showing the wires and pulleys for supporting, loweringand elevating the planes and the horizontal steering planes; Fig. 7 is asection taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 5, looking toward the body portionof the machine; Fig. 7 is a detailed view, with parts broken awa showingthe method of mountingthe si e planes on the trian ular framework; Fig.8 1s a longitudinal, iametrical, vertical section of the tail or rearbody portion of the machine, taken on the line 88 of Fig. 3, the metalbands of the tail sections not being shown; Fig. 9 is an enlargedtransverse section taken through the tail sections on the line 99 ofFig. 8; Fig. 10 is a vertical section taken on the line 10-10 of Fig. 5,showing wiring, rack and segment of a gear wheel in side elevation, andpulleys for the operation of the planes; Fig. 11 is a side e evation ofthe operating levers, the operating handles and sup orting shaft insection, and ratchet wheels. Fig. 12 is a sectionon the line 12-12 ofFig. 11; Fig. 13

is a section on the line 13-13 of Fig. 11; Fig. 14 is a top plan. viewof the shafts which carry the 0 rating levers, pulleys and sprocket wheeand connections between the shafts, and illustrating one-half of themechanism for operating the planes and the tail or rear body portion ofthe machine; Fig. 15 is a section taken through one of the shafts andone of the cone pulleys, showing the method of ailixing the wirethereto;Fig. 16 is a diagrammatical perspective view illustrating thehorizontal steering planes, wiring for said planes, and -aHf Ot leverfor operating .is-a view similar to Fig'. 16 illustrating the the same;Fig. 16

wiring and two foot levers for tgierating the steering planesindependently 0 each other; and Fig. 17 is a diagrammatical outline viewin perspective. of the machine in flight, illustrating the fundamentalprinciples of its construction. r

Referring by numerals to the accompan zingdrawings; .1. indicates thecasing of t e body, madeof any suitable material, such as sheetalunnnnmwhiph is curved almost circular-in cross section. 'The for-- mthe casing, and c h I passing longitudinally of the casing and at" theend of an egg and the lower surface iscurved inapproximately the are ofa circle.

This casing is supported 'or'huilt around any suitable framework, and inthe construction shown a portion of the framework comprises L-shapedbands 2, spaced apart, passing transverse] around the inside ofliannel-shaped members up )roxiniate right angles to the bands 2.

- he casing 1 is'provided with an opening 3 forthe entrance and exitofthe operator, and in front of this openin 3 a hood or shield 4. isformed or locate which has a curved front portion, and projects abovethe top ed e of t e'opening 3.

5 in icates a motor, of any suitable con-i struction or type, locatedwithin the casin 1, which motor is supported and mounte within saidcasing 'on any suitable support-I ing members, not shown.

7 indicates a propeller, of any desired form of OOIIStIllCtlOH.

8 indicates a. tube, which passes transversely across the t'op'of thecasing 1 and above said casing, and projects an 'equa'l distance on eachside of the vertical central line thereof, and has its terminal portions9 M ing, and has its-terminalportions 11 curved upwardly,"as illustratedin Fig. 2. The curved terminal portions 9 and 11 are connected or unitedin any suitable mechanical manner. The tube 8, located above the cas Ming, and the tube 10, located below the C831 ing, are connected atcertain distances apart throughout their lengths, by means of tubu larmembers 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,117, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22. The ends of thesetubular memhers 12 to 22 inclusive are connected to the tubular members8 and 10 in any suitable manner, as by being brazed together, orotherwise. In cross sectionthe tubular members 8 and 10, and ia-to 22inclusive,

should be such as to offer the least resistance to the air.

Passing transversely through the casing 1 and in the rear of the tubes 8and 10 is a tube 23." The terminal portions of this tube 23 are-curved,as at 24, and the ends thereof are secured-in any suitable manner at thepoints of intersection or joining of the tubu lar members 8 and 10(seeFig 3 for illus t-ration). On each side of the casing 1 this tube 23is curved upwardly, corresponding approximately with the longitudinalcurva ture of the planes of the machine. The tube 23, passing. throughthe casing 1 of the machine and the tube- 8, passing above and .5 acrossthe casing, are connected together at suitable, distances apart on eachside. of the "casing; 1; by means of tubes25, 26,227, .28

and 29.. Onthe opposite side of the casing 1. similar tubes areemployedior, connecting -thdt'ube 2310 the tube 8. The construction ofthe framework on each side of the casing 1 is identical.

. The tube 10, lying elow the body or casing 1, is connected with thetube 23byza series of tubular members 30, which connect the tube 23 andthe tube 10 throughout their lengths at the points of intersection ofthe tubes 12 to 22 inclusive, with the tube 10.

It will thus be seen that the framework,

heretofore described, projecting on each side 'of the casing 1, istriangular in crosssection,

as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 7, and-in this -"frameworkthe planes ofthe machine are mounted. This triangular framework is securely fastenedto the framework on the inside of the'casing 1 in any suitablemechanical manner, so that it will be SubSt&1l1-- tially secured to saidframework and cannot be. moved or distorted relative to the eas- It willbe seen by reference to Fig. 5 that the central tubular member 17 is cutaway about centrally of its length, leavi two tubular branches, 31 and32, the tub dTar branch 31 projecting downwardly within the casing-1from the tube 8, and the tubular member 32 projecting upwardly withinthe casing from a the tube 10. These tubular branches 31 and 32 aresecured in any suitable manner 'to the framework on the inside of thecasing 1.- The lower end of the tubular branch 31 has its wallsperforated with a series of mrforations (see Fig. 10 for illustration),through which pass the wires leading to the planes. Likewise, the upperend of branch 32 has perforations in its Wall, through which the wiressecured to the planes pass.

My machine is rovided with two planes which are identica in'constructionand operation. These lanes are pivotall secured to the frameworh on theinside of t ceasing 1 and are each set at an angle of incidence ofapproximately 13? to the horizontal. The angle ofincidence is alwaysfixed ,or constant. The center of support of each plane may be shiftedby lowering and elevating the planes, and the supporting area or forceof each plane may be varied at the will of the operator. In other words,the sup orting surface or force may be incred or ecrcased at the will ofthe operator, so that durin ascent, descent or varied stability the pane may be given the maximum supporting surface or force. When flying ina straightline, the supporting surface may be decreased, thus re ucing te friction er the air on the lanes. In the construction shown (each pane bein identical in construction-I will dcscriw only one) the plane arigid portion 33, which the rigid portion 33 and the flexible portion.

34 is cut away, forming an opening35. The flexible portions 34 and 35maybe con-. structed out of any suitable material, and;

, are designed to bend with the operation of .the rigid ortion 33. Therigid portion 33 is provid with two hinged members, 36,. which aresecured to the L-shaped bands 2; of the framework by means of pivot pins37. The planes are capable of bemg swung upwardly and downwardly onthese pivots,

and are supported and operated by themeche anism hereinafter described.The inner or forward margin of the flexible portion 34 of;

the plane is secured to the rear margin of the rigid portion 33* in ansuitable and mechanical manner, and t e out er margin oi, the flexibleportion 34 is secured to the tubular member 23 in any suitable manner;likeso wise, the flexible end margin 35 is secured. to the tube 23 andthe end of therigid por-. tion 33. The ri d portion 33 of the planeis-curved u war ly and also has a transverse curvature m front to rear,as illustrated; 35 in F 2, 5 and 7. When the plane is down to its owestposition, the flexi le portion 34 is curved upwardly and rearwardly, andthe plane in transverse section would have 'sub-. stantially thetransverse curvature from front to rear illustrated in Figs. 1 and '7.When the'rigi'd ortion of the plane 33 is elevated to give t e plane itsmaximum sup port, the rear flexible margin 34 is straightened out, andthe plane would have substan- 45, tially the transverse curvatureillustrated in dotted lmes in Fi 7 and its curvature longitudinally wo dbe substantiall as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 5. en the planeis down, the flexible end-margin .5035 would have substantially thecurvature.

illustrated in. Figs. 2 and 5. The plane is practically located in thetriangular frame; work heretofore described, the tubes 12 to 22inclusive of the framework throu h nin'gs formed through t e planes. e pno is'provlded with' a longitudinal curved 85", which carries a metalband 36*.

tubes connectin the tubes 8 and 10 which use through t 'e' planes areprovided so with s ets 37", and mounted in the slots 37? and in theslots 37 formed in the band 36' I are pins 88, to which ins the wireswhich rtand mov the anes are secured. It .wi heoheerved y re errin toFig. 7' that as this construction permits e planes to be the rear marginof the rigid elevated upwardly and downwardly on the tubes withoutbinding, as the pins 38 can move upwardly and,downwardly in the slots37" and can move or shift laterally in the slots 37'. Each 0 eningthrough the planethat is, where t e tubes pass through the plane-isprovided with a connection as described and illustrated in Fig. 7

As shown, I have illustrated only one row or set of tubular memberspassing throu h the planes a .short distance back from t e front edge ofthe plane, but if desired, an additional row of tubular members may bepassed through the plane along the rear margin thereof, In such case,the tubes won (1 pass through the fixed portion 33 of the plane inproximity to its rear margin.

As heretofore stated, there are two planes, one oneach side of themachine, which are identical in construction and mode of op: eratlon andare operated simultaneously; that is to say, they are both operatedupwardly for maximum support, whereby the center of support of eachplane is moved outwardly from the casing, and they are moved downwardlyto decrease the support.

'In other words, the supporting surface, .force or powermay be graduallyvaried and the center of support of each plane shifted inwardly andoutwardly by the simultaneousoperation of the 'planes, but the angle ofinc dence remains fixed 'and constant.

The machine may be adjusted or curved so that its longitudinal centralline or axis describes the arc of a circle, and when so adjusted thesupporting, planes may be swung upward to give maximum'support to themachine. a

The entire body portionof the machine from the casing 1 rearwardlyisflexible and -made up of a series of tubular sections 39,. till, 41,42 andf43 (see Fig. 8 for illustralOn made out of 'any'suitable materialand covered with eloth or'any suitable fabric, is

movable relatively to every other, and the section 39. ismovablerelatively to the casing I. Asheretoforestated, by such aconstruction, the entire body of the machine longitudinally, that is tosay, from the propeller shaft to the end ofthe machine, may be. curvedor adjusted to lie in or coincide withthe arc of a circle, asillustrated in Fig. 17

Projecting laterally from the sections 40-, 41, 42 and .43 are fins orbalancing planes 44 and 45. These fins, 44 and 45*, are arranged tocurve upwardly with the upward Each 'of these sections, which arecurvature or adjustment ofthe sections 40,

41, 42 and 43, and to curve downwardly with the downward movement oradjustment of the same, the several planes on each side" forming ineffect a flexible plane which flexes with the body either upwardly ordownwardly.

I will now proceed to describe the con- &

struction of thebody and tail of the ma chine backward from the casing1.

The rear end of the casing 1 is provided? on its inside with a bearingring 43", and

5 the forward end of section'39 is slightly.

contracted. The contracted portion of the section 39 is located in thering or band 43 of the casing 1.

The pivotal connection by means of WDIClT the section 39 is secured tothe casing 1, section 40 secured to the section 39, section 41 securedto the section 40, and section 42 secured to the section 41, isillustrated .in Fig. 9, which-is an enlarged transverse section throughthe forward end of section 41 and the rear end of section 40, it beingunderstood in this connection that in Fig. 8 the bearing rings passingaround the ends of the section are not shown. The connection between thesections referred to, as above stated, is illustrated ,in Fig. 9, andconsists of a tubular shaft 44 passing through the ends of the sectionsdiametrically. In fact,- there are two tubular shafts, such as 44, theinner ends of which are spaced apart, and mounted on these tubes 44 is arotatj ing sleeve 46. The rotatingsleeve has fixed to it two pulleys, 46and 47, and formed through the sleeve between the pulleys is anelongated or oblong. opening .48. The pivotal connection betweenthe-forward end of the section 39 and the casing 1,-the rear. end ofsection 39 and the forward end of section 40, the rear end of section 40and the i 85 forward end of section 41, and the. rear end of section 41and the forward end of section 42, are-the same, as above described. Theconnection between the rear end of section -42 and the forward end ofsection 43 is an miordinary hollow shaft or tube 49, passingdiametrically through the mentioned ends of 'said sections. By suchconnection between the sections, said sections are permitted to moveupwardly and downwardly relative to 45 each other, but do not permit ofany lateral or side movement of the sections. In Fig. 8 I haveshownalongitudinaldiai metrical vertical section ofa portion of the rearend of the casing, and the machine rear 60 ward of the casing,andIhaveishown one-i half of the wiring andconnections for adjust ingthe sections, and beginning with the-last section 43, one end of thewire 48-is secured to the top or front end of section 43 and them saidwire is passed forwardly and around, the rotating sleeve 45, and securedtosaid sleeve, and the free end thereof ispasscd backwardlyand securedto the lower portion" of the front-end ofsection .48. It will beunderstood ih thisconnection that'hoth ends of'two such wires-aresecured to the iron} .end of the section 43-a'nd intermediate .0 theirends they are secured to. the rotating sleeve 45. Thus it will be seenthat if-thd may be adjusted independently ofthe sec-. tions. 39 to 41.inclusive. By such an ar- '1 to 'section 43 may bewad'usteddn.

proximately .an S-shaped out me.

rotating sleeve 45 is turned or rotated to the left in Fi 8, the section43 will be pulled u ward y. on its pivotal connection 49. If t e sleeve45 is rotated in the opposite direction, the section 43 will bedepressed or lowered. The wiring connected to the forward ends ofsections 42, 41, 40

. and 39 is the same, and, as heretofore stated,

the pivotal connections between said sections and section 39 with casing1 are the same. In order to rotate the sleeve 45 at the connectionbetween the forward end of section 42 and the rear end of section 41,two wires are placed over the pulleys 46 and 47, and their free endspassed through the elongated opening 48 in the rotating sleeve 45, andcarried through the openings formed in all the rotatingsleeves inadvance of it, and then carried forward and connected to one end of thesprocket chain 103 (see Fig. 14). The other ends of said wires areconnected to the opposite end of said sprocket chain. Similar wires arelocated on the pulleys at the connection between the forward end ofsection 41 and 'the rear end of section 40,' the forward end of section40 and the rear 90. end of section 39, and the forward end of. section39 with the casing 1. Th'ewires are brought forward, and one of the freeends of each is connected to one end of a sprocket. chain 103, and theop osite end to the other. end of said sprocket c ain. The wiring forthese sections, 39 to 43 inclusive, isillustrated in Figs. 8, 11 and 14.By pulling one end of the wiring passed over the pulleys 46 and 47, thesections 39, 40, 41, 42and 43 may 100 be gradually curved. or adjustedupwardly, as illustratedin Figs. 8 and 17.

.The sections 42 and'43 arecapable of mdependent-downward movement oradjust: ment relative. to sections 39 to 41 inclusive, as illustrated bydotted lines in Fig. 8; or these two sections, 42 and 43, may be movedor adjusted upwardly simultaneously with the upward movement oradjustment of sec-- tions 3.9 to 41 nclusive. In other words, all 4the-sections, 39 to 43 inclusive, may be simultaneously moved oradjusted upwardly or downwardly, and the. sections-.42 and 43 rangement,the machine may be adjustcdupwardly to form the arc ofacircle, or t etwo sections 42 and 43 may be adgusted downwardly;- or the machine fromcasing;

a This 5-- shaped outline is effected by first adjusting all thesections upwardly and thenv adjusting the sections42 and 43 downwardly,.without adjusting the other sections,: 39 to 41. inclusive. Theindependent adjustment of sections 42 and 43 is controlled by a sprocketwheel 79 (see Fig; 14),.which may MQD be operated simultaneously withthe sprocket wheel 62, or it may be operated independently.

In Fig. 14 I have shown a top plan view, and in Fig. 5 a front elevationof the mechanism for operating the wiring secured 'to the planes and thewiring of the sections 39 to 43 inclusive. Fig. 14 illustrates one-halfof the mechanism for operating the planes and said sections. Suitablymounted in the framework within the casing 1 are two horizontallydisposed shafts 50 and 51, the shaft 50 being mounted in front of theshaft 51. Keyed to the shaft 50 is a sprocket wheel 52, and a conepulley 53. There are two cone pulleys, such as 53, on the .shaft 50, oneof which controls the wiring for one of the planes on one side of themachine, and the other controls the wiring for the plane on the oppositeside of the machine. In the construction shown, the wires which supportand operate each plane are attached to the plane at five pointslongitudinally of its length. The wiring for each plane is concealed inthe tubular members forming the framework. By such a construction, thewires offer no resistance.

The wiring for each plane is the same, and is as follows, (referencebeing had to Figs. 5, 6 and 7) The wire is attached to the pin 38,passed up through the tube 18 and over the pulley 54, over the pulley55, down through the branch 31 and out through a small hole in the sideof this tubular branch, and placed in the groove 56 of the cone pulley53. The wire is wrapped once around said pulley and secured thereto, asillustrated in Fig. 15, brought down through a hole in branch 32 andover a-pulle located at theintersection of said branc with the tube 10,passed through-tube 10 to the left (Fig. 5) and up through the tube 18andsecured to the pin 38. In other words, one end of the wire which issecured to the pin 38 where the tube 1.8 passes through the plane, ispassed through the tubing and over the cone pulley 53 in the groove 56thereof, and the oppositeend is carried through the tubing and securedto the same pin 38. In the construction shown there are four such wiresfor supporting and operating each plane at four points, namely, wherethe tubes 18, 19, 21 and 22 pass through the'plane, these wires beinglocated respectively 1n the grooves 56, 57, 58 and 59 of the cone pulley53. At the center of support of the plane, that is, where the tube 20passes through the plane, a similar wire is used, but one end of thiswire, instead of passing around the cone pulley 53 is attached to a rack60 (see Fig. 10). In other words, at this point there is a wire, one endof which is secured to the pin 38, led through the tube and its oppositeend secured to one end of the rack 60, and leading conepulley 53 and theother wire from the lower end of said rack 60 is a simiwhieh passesdownwardly and through the tube 10, and passes up through the tube 20and is secured to the pin 38. In other words, as shown, five wires areemployed to support and operate each plane, four of said wires beingoperated b the em operated by the rack 60. This rack 60 mounted on atube 60, and is operated upwardly and downwardly by means of the segmentof a gear wheel 61 mounted on the shaft 50. In other words, the rotationof the shaft 50 actuates the cone pulley 53 and the rack 60.

Mounted on the stationary shaft 51 is a double sprocket wheel 62, andthe sprocket wheel 52 mounted on the rotating shaft 50 has a sprocketchain 63, passing over the double sprocket wheel 62. The segment of thegear wheel 61 is mounted on the rotating shaft 50, as stated, andsecured to this segment of the gear wheel 61 is a heavy coil spring 64,one end of said heavy coil spring 64 belng secured to the rod 65, whichrod is connected to a rod 66 by means of an internal screw threadedsleeve 67. The. rod 66 is secured to the framework on the inside of thecasing 1. By turning the internally screw threaded sleeve 67 the tensionon the spring 64 may be varied. The operating levers are mounted on thestationary shaft 51, as shown in Figs. 5, 13, and 14. The operatinglet'er 68 is keyed on the hub 70 of the double sprocket wheel 62 bymeans of a key 71. By operating the lever 68, the double sprocket wheel62 is rotated on the stationary shaft 51. Keyed to the stationary shaft51 are two ratchet wheels 72 and 73, the teeth of which oint in oppositedirections, and adapted to engage with the ratchet wheel 72 is a springheld pawl 74, and adapted to engage with the ratchet wheel 73is a s ringheld pawl 75. The spring held paw 74 and 75 are disengaged by pressingthe member 76 toward the handle bar 77. (See Fig. 11.) The lever 69 ismounted on or connected to the hub 78 of the sprocket wheel'7 9 by meansof a key 80. By operating the lever 69, the sprocket wheel 79 is rotatedon the stationary shaft 51. The lever 69 is detachably secured to thelever 68b means of a spring held button 81 (see igs. 11 and 12). Thestem of the button passes through the lever 69, and when engaged itsfree end 1s seated in the o ening 82 of the lever 68, it being heldseate 'in said opening by means of. a spring 83 lying on the face oflever 69, and on the shoulder 84 of the stem of the button. The stem of,the button 81 is released from the opening'82 by means of the lever 85,carrymg on its lower end a wedge-shaped member 86. By pulling the lever85 toward the handle 87 of the lever 69, the wedge-shaped tube -20member 86 will release the endof the-stem from the opening 82, thusrm-ittin' the lever 69 "to be operated ind pendently oi the lever 68. Bythis arrangement, the two levers 68 and 69 may be operated together,

or the lever 69 may be operated independ-'- ently of the lever 68. Whenthe two levers, 68 and 69 are locked together, by operating the lever 68the doublesprocket wheel 62 and the sprocket wheel 79 'are' rotatedtogether. It, said levers-are disengaged by pressing on the lever 85,the lever'69, and.

consequently the sprocket wheel 79, may be operated independently of thelever 68. The

' wiring which controls sections 43 and 42 of thetail or rear bodyportion of the machine is ledto the sprocket chain 103 mounted on thesprocket wheel 79, and when it is desired to adjust these two sections,42 and 43, independently. of the sections 41',

40 and 39, the lever 69 isdisengaged fromthe lever 68 andfoper'atedindependently.

From. the foregoing description, it will be seen that when the levers 68and 69 are locked together. and pushed forwardly by the operator, thedou le sprocket wheel 62 and. the single sprocket wheel 79, and thedouble sprocket wheel 62, and the sprocket chain. 103 carried by the.single sprocket wheel,79, will move forwardly and" pull for wardly thewiring which adjusts the sections 39, 40,41, 42 and 43. By pushingforward the levers 68 and 69,as heretofore stated, the rig'd portions33'of the planes areelevated and the sections 39 to 43 inclusive are movedor adjusted upwardly. When it is desired to give, the machine themaximum support, the rigid portions of the planes are. elevated and thesections 39 to 43 inclusive are simultaneously adjusted or curvedupwardly. It will be understood wardly, the segment of the gear wheel61is rotated to the and the rack'60 is moved downwardly and willconsequently pull the wire which leads fronithe top end of said rack tothe center of "support ofthe lane that is, where the passes t oug' theplane. The sheavedcone pulley 53 and the rack 60 operate the wiring forthe planes. 'The' double sprocketwwheel 62 and the single sprocket wheel79' operate thewires for the tail or in this connection that whenthelevers. 68 and 69 are pushed for-- eft, as illustrated in Fig. 10,.

rear body sections 39 to 43 inclusive. If it is desired to lower therigid portions 33 of the planes and straighten out the sections 39 to 43inclusive, the operator pulls the lever 68 with the lever 69 lockedthereto, toward him. This operation is performed when it is "desired todecrease the su port of the planes. By such construction it will be seenthat the increase and decrease of the supporting area, force or power ofthe planes and'the adjustment of the sections 39 to 43 inclusive, areunder the positive control of the operator, and practically by means ofone lever.

In Fig. 4 I have illustrated the construction by means of which, whenthe sections 40 to 43 inclusive, are curved or adjusted upwardly, thefins or balancing planes 44 and 45 are curved upwardly. The fins orbalancing planes 44 and 45 are carried by the sections 40 to 43inclusive, and are constructed by the use of flexible ribs 87 passingthrough the tubular pivotal connection between the sections, and securedto the ends thereof is a wire 87, which wire is brought through a hole87 in the end of section 41, and connected to the edge of the end of section 42. There is a similar connection below and on the, opposite sideof the sections. When the section 42 is moved upwardly, the wire 87"will be pulled downwardly in the middle, or shortened, which shorteningof the wire 87 will pull upwardly the ends of the flexible rib 87*, andconsequently curve upwardly the fins or balancing planes 44 and 45. Ifthe section 42 is moved downwardly, the wire beneath the'section will beshortened, and the ends of the flexible rib 87 will be pulleddownwardly, consequently the fins 44 and 45 will be curved downwardly.By such a construction, when the sections 39 to 43 inclusive are movedor adjusted upwardly, the fins 44 and 45 will be slightly curvedupwardly, and when the sections 42 and 43 are curved downwardly, saidfins will be slightly curved downwardly.

90 indicates horizontal steering planes, and in Fig. 16 I have shown thewirin and foot lever for operating said steering p anes.

These steering planes are loosely mounted on the tube 230i thetrianguliw framework of the planes, and the wiring is led through thetubular framework down through the branch 31,. and is connected'to' thelever 91 which is pivotally securedto the fra work on the lIlSldB ofeasing 1. These horizontal. steering planes are positively suprted inhorizontal position by the wiring, as illustrated in Fig. 16, and areoperated by the foot of the operator acting on the pivoted foot lever91. Whenlone end of the foot, lever 91 is pressed downwardly to theright, as in Fig. 16, the horizontal steering plane 90 on the right will'be depressed, and the horizontal steering plane on the left will beelevated an equal distance. If the pedal or foot lever is pressed downon the left, the movement of the horizontal steering planes will bereversed. It will thus be seen that the horizontal steering planes arepositively controlled and when one is pulled downwardly the opposite oneis elevated an equal distance, and vice versa. If it is desired tooperate the steering planes 90 upwardly or downwardly independently ofeach other two foot levers, such as 91, are employed and the planeswired separately to each foot'lever, as illustrated in Fig. 16.

The machine is Supported by three wheels. The wheel 92 is mounted in theU-shaped frame. 95, which is secured and yieldingly mounted on section39, which U-shaped frame is braced by a rod 96. Each of the wheels 93and 94 is mounted or carried on a yielding framework 97, and lyingintermediate of these wheels is a skid or slide 98, one end of which isslidin ly and pivotally mounted on a rod carried by the triangularframework, and secured to its forward end is a rod 100, seated in a tubeor cylinder 101, provided with an opening for the admission of air whenthe rod or plunger 100 is moved downwardly. When the rod 100 is moveddownwardly, air is sucked in through the opening in the tube or cylinder101, which forms an air cushion for the rod or plunger 100 when the sameis pushed upwardly. Thus it will be seen that the machine is yieldinglysupported by springs and air cushions to minimize the shock when themachine alights on the ground. i

The operation of my improved flying machine is as follows: The 0 eratoror aviator takes his seat in the mac line through the opening 3 and themotor 5 is started, and when .the motor has reached sufiicient speed theoperator pushes forward the lever 68 (it being understood in thisconnection that the lever 69 is locked to the lever 68), and the forwardmovement of said lever will,

elevate the rigid portion 33 of the planes and straighten out theflexible rear margins 34 and 35 thereof. \Vith this operation, the Isections 39 to 43 inclusive will be curved upwardly. This operation willgive the machine the maximum support, .which is ad vantagcous in rising,and the longitudinal curvature of the machine will cause the machine toascend upwardly in a curved line of flight. When the rigid portions ofthe side planes are elevated, and the tail or rear section of the bodyportion is curved, the longitudinal axis of the machine from the tip ofthe tail'to the pro eller shaft, will dealtitude, the rigid portions of:theqflancs may be depressed or lowered, and .tlie'ftailor the operatororaviator pulling towv aiii him the lever 68.. By operating the lever68,

mg and depressing the planes, the support ing area, force or power ofthe planes may operator. Thus'it will be seen that the supporting area,force or power of the planes will be decreased with the lowering of therigid portions 33, and by elevating said rigid portions thesupportingarea, force or power will be increased, and assuming the speedof the machine to be constant with the increase of supporting area, theresistance will he increased, and with the decrease of the sup portingarea the resistance will be lessened, and it will he undelstood in thisconnection that the lowering and elevating of the rigid portions33of-the planes does not change the angle of incidence-the angle ofincidence being always fixed or constant. It will be further understoodthat with the elevation of the rigid portions 33 of the planes, thecenter of support of each plane moves out- \vardly from the body of themachine.

It is apparent from the description hereto fore set forth that thesupport of the machine may be gradually varied and controlled at thewill of the operator, and that when the center of support of each planeis moved outwardly by the upward movementof the plane, the supportingarea is increased. It is believed that with the for ward and rearwardoperation of the lovers 6S and 69, when locked together,- and theconsequent elevation of the rigid portion 33 of the planes, and theupward curvature of sive, and the lowering of these rigid portions andthe straightening out of the sections, the machine will travel forwardin an undulating line of flight if the motor should-stop, because if weassume the machine supported in the air by its maximum support-that is,when the rigid portions of the planes are elevated-by depressing therigid portions the support will be decreased, the friction lessened, andthe machine will byits own momentum go forwardly in a downwardlyinclined curve.

planes. 44 and 45 curve upwardly with the upward movement or adjustmentof the tail sections 39 to 43 inclusive, and curve downwardly with thedownward movement or adjustmentof the sections 4'2 and If it is desiredto change the direction of flight laterally, the operator. elevates therigid portions of the planes and curves the tail or rearhody sections2391;043 inclu which actuates the siemzed .cone'pulley and the rack 6?,on which is mountcdgor, secured the wiring for supporting, filQVfl-ilfl'be increased or decreased at the WillOftllt l As heretofore stated, thefins or balancing upwardly the an sections 39 to is inelusive. Thisadjustment will cause the machine to-first move in an arc of averticalcircle and then by manipulation of the horizontal steering plane90 by means of the pivotal foot lever 91, the direction of flightchanged from a vertical circle to an oblique circle, corresponding, orcourse, as to which side of the pedal 91 is dep'ressed. It will thus' beseen that the direction of flight is changed from the are of a vertical'circle by means of the horizontal steering planesfio to-the arc of anoblique circle or orizontalcircle. It will thus be seen, from theforegoing description, that the machine, when it rises from the ground,ascends in the arc of a circle; in flight it travels in the arc' of acircle; in changingthe direction of flight it travels inthe are ofacircle; and in descendin to the earth it travelsin' the are of a circ e.Of course it will be understoodin thisconnectio'n that thearcsofcircl'es" described in rising, in flight, in changing the direction offii 'ht and indescending, vary, depending on the adjustment ofthemachine. 4

The practical advantages arising from my invention in -a general way,are as follower the will of the operator'by adjustin the machine back toits curved form. y being able to curve the machine, the changing of thedirection of flight is rendered more safe. By being able to graduallycurve the machine and vary the support in descending to alight, thegliding may be more uniformly and easil controlled. In curved lineflight, the re ations between the center of support and the center ofweights always remain the same, so that if the machine is inclined tothe horizontal, the weights are not displaced from the line joining thecenter of support. a

The principle of construction, of my machine is diagrammaticallyillustrated approximately in Fig. 17, being a perspective view of themachine in outline in flight. Referring tothis illustratioii, the'pointf indicates the sum or center of the weights of the entire machine. Theline d'--.cindicates the machine in a straight line, having the centerof the sum of the weights at t indicates a line struck from fperpendicular to d--c'. m-b is-a line connecting the center of the sumof the supports of the equal. intersects the line f-t at the point 0,WhlCh machine.

planes om each side ofthemachine which are This line H passes through orpoint represents the-total sum of the supports in the-adjustment asillustrated, and which is perpendicular to the line f--t. The point 0 isnot fixed-on-the line .-f--t but is variable along the line. ft,depending on the are made by the machine when curved and theconsequential change in position of the center f of the sum of theWeights. G-. -H indicates an arc of an assumed circ e where fagainindicates, for the urposes of this description, the center 0 the sum: ofthe weights, having its center at some point on the. line f--t extended.The

machine is curved to coincide with the arc Greys-H, and it 'takes theposition d-f-c along the same are. Atthe point 0 the line a is drawnperpendicular to the arc G--f- H, which cuts or intersects the 'extendedline -f--t at the points, and determines the geometrical center. of thecircle of which G--f-H is an arc. The are d-f-c has a chord dc. Thischord l -c passes through the radius f-a at the point 0'. 'lhepoint 0'of intersection is the lowest point that the sum of the supports can beraised when the machine describes the arc al-f-c. But the support can beraised along the radius; for example, to the'point 0 on the chord 0-0,or higher along the same radius, but not higher than that point wherethe chord becomes perpendicular to the radius f--a. If the su port 0 isoriginally set abovethe sum of t e weights f when the machine is in astraight line d-f-c', then the sum of the supports will take a relativeposition above the point 0' if the machine 18 curved, rising relatively,for example, to the point 0 on the radius f--a, and if the su ports 0'or o are set at f when the machlne is in a straight line d'-f-c', thesupport can be raised to the point 0, but in all cases the center ofsupports 0 or o is on the variable radius f-s and perpendicular to thesum of the weights f on the line l'--f-c--it being understmd that theangle of incidence of the planes never varies relative to the center ofthe sum of the weightsyr rdless of any adjustment'oa. t

In the diagrammatical illustration relerred to, it will 'be understood,of w: that l \have shown only one adjustment oi the machine, andconsequent-,1 one line c-b, connecting the centers 0 support each planein such adjustment, wherein the center of support is set relatively avef when the machine occupies -the ption d-f-c'. It will be appreciatedthat w the point f is shifted,- ue to the curving of the relativelyheavy flexible tail ortion, the point 0 will shift corresponding y alo hmaintaining the demribed relation to t e are point f. It is thestructure by which this mvariable relation of the points 0 and f issecured that is of importance and it is onl by the employment ofaweighted flexible tall and the flexing lanes that the invention can berealized an 'the desired stability automatically maintained.

From the above description and the illustration referred to, it will beseen that the sum of the weights. or the center of the sum of theweights of the machine always occupies a fixed relation to the center ofthe sum of the supports of the planes, regardless of the position of.the machine relative to the horizontal or the adjustment of the machine.

By being able to curve the balancin planes or fins 44 and 45 downwardlyan to adjust or curve downwardly the sections 42 and 43 independently ofsections 39 to 41 inclusive, the speed of the machine in descending maybe checked, said fins acting, as it were, as a kind of brake.

I claim: 1. A flying machine, comprising arigid body portion, a flexiblerear body portion of substantial weight, a pair of supporting planessecured to and carried by said rigid body portion, and means forgradually flexing said flexible rear body portion during flight andmaintaining it in a straight or curved form, whereby the center of thesum of the weights of the machine is maintained in the line which passesthrough the center of the sum of the supports, and stability is restoredor maintained regardless of the adjustment of the machine or itsinclination to the horizontal. 2. A flying machine, comprising a rigidbody portion, a flexible rear body portion, a horizontal balancing planedisposed on each side of said flexible rear body portion and capable ofrelative angular movement therewith, a pair of sup'portin planes securedto and carried by the sai rigid body portion, and means for curving theflexible rear body portion and maintaining the same in the'desiredcurvature.

3.-In a flying machine, a pair of supporting planes disposed at adihedral ang e and movable on, axes runnin approximately parallel withthe body 0 the, machine, a flexible tail, means for elevating andlowering said supportin planes and simultaneously therewith a justingsaid tail, to lie on or describe arcs of circles of diflerent radii.

4. Ina flying machine, a flexible body portion capo le of being adjustedto arcs of diflerent circles, a pivoted supporting plane,

and means for simultaneously 1 operating said supporting plane and saidbody portion for increasing or decreasin the supporting force of saidsupporting p ane and adjuming said body portion in area of diflerentcircles.

5. In a flying machine, a movable suporting plane having a rigid ortioncurved on 'tudinally upwardly an downwardly an curved transverselyupwardly and downwardly, and having secured along its rear margin aflexible portion and along its end margin :1 flexible portion, and meansfor elevating and lowering said ri 'd portion and straightenin out saidflexi le portion, lowering said rigid ortion and curving said flexibleportion, w ereby -thesupporting force of'the plane may be increased anddecreased at the will of the operator.

6. In a flying machine, a casing, a framework for said casing, planespivotally carried by said framework, a sectional body portion, balancingplanes carried by said sectional body portion, means for elevating saidplanes and simultaneously adjusting upwardly the sectional body ortionand lowering said planes and 'straig tening out said body-portion, meansfor curving upwardly the balancing planes with the upward ad'ustment ofthe sectional body portion, an means for adjusting one or more of themotions of the sectional body ortion independently of theremainingsections thereof.

Ti. A flying machine, comprising a framework, a casin inclosing saidframework, a triangular tu ular framework carried by said firstmentioned framework, a pair of pivoted supporting planes mounted in saidtriangular tubular framework, each ofsaid supporting planes rovidedalong its rear margin and its end margin with a flexible portion, asectional body portion, balancing planes carried by some of the sectionsof said flexible body portion, wiring for supporting, elevating andlowering the lanes, wiring for adjusting the sections of the sectionalbody portion relative each other, and a lever for raising the planessimultaneously therewith, adjusting the sections of the flexible .bodyportion relative each other, and a lever for adjusting two of-thesections of the sectional y portion relative to the remaining sections8. In a'flying machine, a supporting plane mounted on an axis runningapproximately parallel with the body of the machine and provided alonits rear and end margin with a relative y movable transversely flexibleportion, a rigid support for the margin of said flexible portion, andmeans for elevating and lowering said plane and maintaining the same inthe desired adjustment, whereby the center of support of the plane isshifted and the supporting force thereof is varied. 4

9. In a flyin machine, a supporting plane having a rigi portion normallycambe longitudinally and transve ly, and provided along its rear and endmars with a relatively movable flexible portion and havin a rigidsupport for the margin oisaid exible portion, in combinationwith meansfor elevating said plane and changing its center ofsupport outwardly,and; simultaneously therewith increasing t e supthe operation of thesaid supporting plane having ed to its' tral ammo rear margin and itsend a flexible portion, a. support for the outer margin of the flexibleportion, and means for lowering and ole-1 vating said rigid portion,whereby said margins curve upwardly with the lowering of t e rigid.portion and the supportin force is decreased, and with the. 11 warmovement of said rigid portion the erible; margin is curved downwardly-in a direction with the normal camber of the rigid portion. 11. A fiyinmachine, comprising a cen-z and a casing therefor, a tri-i angularfISLHlBWORk CSLITlGd by said central framework, 'a'pivoted aeroplanecarried on each side of said central framework and; practically mountedin said triangularf framework, a sectional rear body portion,: asupporting shaft carried by said central, framework, sprocket wheelsmounted. on; said stationary shaft, a rotating shaft mo in said centralframework, a sprocket wheel and cone pulley mounted on i said rotatingshaft, a connection between said rotating and said stationary shafts, a

pair of levers mounted on said stationary shaft, means for ice andunlocking said levers so that they may be operated together orindependently, sprocket chains carried by sprocket wheels on thestationary shaft and flexible connections between said-sprocketchainscarried by the dationary shaft and the-cone pulley carried by therotating shaft and the planes and rear body sections.

12. A flying machine, comp a 04311? tral framework and a cas'u therefor,a biangular framework carried by said central framework and projectingon each side that an equal distance, a pivoted aeroplane carried on eachside of said central framework and practically mounted in the saidtriangular framework by having a part of the framework pass through theaeroplane, a'sectional rear body portion, a stationary shaft carried bysaid central framework, sprocket wheels mounted on said stationaryshalt, a rotating shaft carried by said central framework, a sprocketwheel and cone pulley mounted on said rotating shaft, a flexibleconnection between said rota and said tion'ary shafts, a pair of loversmean on said station shatt, m a for w:

J and unlocking said levers dol -99mi so that they may' orated togetheror independently, sprocket chains carried b the sprocket wheels on thestationary sha t and flexible connections between said sprocket chainscarried by .the stationary shaft and the cone pulley carried by therotating shaft and the planes and the rear body sections, whereby, bythe operation of said levers when locked together, the planes andsectional rear body portion may be simultaneously adjusted, and by theoperation of one of said levers independently of the other, certainsections of the sectional rear body portion may be operated independ'ently of the other sections thereof and the planes.

13. A flying machine, comprising a body portion, the major part "of thelongitudinal axis'of which is capable of being flexed to lie on ordescribe arcs of circles of difi'erent radii to form a curved body, apair of supporting planes, a series of balancing. planes capable ofbeing flexed with thebody portion, and means for flexing said arpisduring flight and maintainingthe same in straight or curvedform.

It. 'A'llying machine, comprising-a rigid body portion, a casingtherefor, a flexible rear body portion provided with a mries ofbalancing planes capable of flexing there with, a transversely disposedframework carriediby said rigid body portion, a pair of'supportingplanes mounted practically within said framework, a suitable motor and ppropeller, and means for gradually dam" theflemble rear body portion,and maintain ing the same in the desired adjustment during ht. o

15. In a flying machine, a rigid y portion and a flexible rear bodyportion provided with a series of balanc pable 0t flexing therewith, apair of supporting planes having a fixed angle of incidencecarriedbyjsaidgrigid body portion and set at, an angle to the horizontal, andmeans lorlowering and elevating said planes simultaneously for varyingthe angle and increasing and decreasing the supporting force thereof.

16. In a flying chine, a supporting plane mounted to swing up and downon an axis disposed in a direction approximately arallel with the bodyof the machine, a amble tail, means for elevatand lowerplanes caing saidsupporting plane on mid axis, and 1 simultaneously therewith curvingsaid tail,

to lie on or describe arcs of circles of diderent radii.

17.111 a it machine, a supporting plane movable ly up and down on-anaxis dispels a direction approximately parallel withthe body ofthemachine, a dem'ble tail, bal' w planes carried by said tail, on foradjwry said plane with means for simultaneously operating saidsupporting plane and said body portion for increasing or decreasing thesupporting force of said supporting plane and adjusting said bodyportion to arcs of diflerent circles.

19. In a flying machine, a flexible body portion, a pivoted aeroplane, ahorizontal steering plane carried by said aeroplane, a

pivoted foot lever and a flexible connection etween said foot-lever andsaid horizontal steeringplane for supporting the steering plane normallyin a horizontal position and operating the same upwardly and downwardly.

20. In a flying machine, provided with a suitable motor and ropellerfor'lifting and propelling said mac ine, a supporting aeroplane, aflexible tail provided with aplane, means for curving said tail todifferent degrees of curvature, and simultaneously therewith changingthe angular relation of the longitudinal axis (transverse to thelongitudinal axis of the machine) of the supporting plane to thehorizontal.

21. In aflying machine, a supporting aeroplane having a fixed angle ofincidcnceand set on the machine at an angle to the horizontal andmounted 'on'an axis disposed in a direction approximately parallel withthe body of the machine, a flexible body portion, and means forgradually flexing the flexible body portion and simultaneously therewithchanging the angular relation of the longitudinal axis (transverse tothe longitudinal axis of the machine) of the supporting plane to thehorizontal.

22. In a flying machine, a rigid body portion. supporting planespivotallycarried by said.bod v portion and arranged at a dihedral angleto each other, a flexible rear body -ongitudinal central axis may assumea straight line or be curved so that said axis may assume or describearcs of circles of different radii, supporting planes arranged at adihedral angle, and means for gradually ad usting said rear body ortionat thewill of the operator and simultaneously there with varying theangle of the supporting planes.

24. In a flying machine, supporting planes pivoted on axes runningapproximately par allel with the body of'the machine, a flexible rearbody portion capable of being curved or adjusted so that itslongitudinal central axis may describe arcs of circles of differentradii and provided with a series of balancing planes capable of flexingtherewith, and means for curving or adjusting said rear body portionduring the ascent, flight, or'descent of the machine.

25. In a flying machine, having a body portion capable of being adjustedor curved so that its longitudinal central axis may lie on or describearcs of circles" of different radii, a suitable motor and propeller forlifting andpropelling said machine, a supporting plane, and means. foradjusting or .ourving said machine during ascent, flight or descent, andsimultaneously therewith varying the angle of the supporting plane.

26. In a flying machine, having a suitable motor and propeller forlifting and propelling said machine, a supporting aeroplane arranged atan angle to the horizontal, a flexible tail'provided with balancinplanes and capable of being given a double reverse curvature, and meansfor varying the angle of the supporting plane and simultaneouslytherewith adjusting the flexible tail to a compound reverse .-urvature.

27. In a flying machine, a rigid body portion and a flexible bodyportion, a trans versely disposed triangular framework carried by therigid body portion. a supporting plane carried by the rigid body portionand set at an angle and on an axis running in a direction approximatelyparallel with the said rigid body portion, and means for varying theangle of the supporting plane without changing its angle of incidence,and simultaneously therewith adjustingthe flexible body portion.

28. In a flying machine provided with a suitable motor and propeller forlifting and propelli said machine, a flexible body tion capa 1c of beingflexed so that its gitudinal central axis may assume a straight line orbe curved to assume or describe arcs of circles of different radii andprovided with a series of planes capable of flexing therewith, asupporting plane and means for uniformly flexing said, flexible bodyportion during flight.

29. In a flying machine, a flexible body portion, a pair of supportingplanes capable of having their supporting force increased withoutvarying their superficial area, and

sitely disp having a fixed angle of incidence and set at an angle to thehorizontal, and means for gradually flexing the flexible body portionand simultaneously varying the angle of the supporting planes.

30. In a flying machine, a rigid body portion, a sectional body portion,the sections whereof are pivotally connected together, a

tached to the flexiblebody portion at difflexi le connections atmannerferent points throughout its length, and means for operating saidflexible connections whereb the axis of the flexible body portion may beadjusted to lie on or describe arcs of circles-of different radii, or mabe maintained in a straight line during flight.

32. In a flying machine, a flexible rear body portion 0 substantialweight, and means for adjusting and maintaining dur: ing flight thelongitudinal axis of the flexible rear body portion in straight orcurved form, whereby-the center of gravity of the machine may be.shifted durmgi flight regardless of the adjustment of t e machine or itsinclination.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification,presence of two subscribilnfiwitnesses.

WIS GI-NTEE YOUNG Witnesses:

AsnnnGownn', ALEXANDER Foneram.

